ROCK HILL, S.C. – Despite going on a 16-2 run to close the first half and make it a three-point game, Georgia Southern men's basketball (4-2) dropped Sunday's contest to William & Mary (2-2) 102-87, finishing the Rock Hill Classic 2-1.
The Tribe and Eagles battled close for the first few minutes, with
Nakavieon White finishing off an and-one opportunity after the under-16 to lead 8-7.
Nate Brafford sunk a three to stretch the lead to 13-10 at 14:18.
The Eagles' last lead came at 13:44 in the first half. After a
Braylhan Thomas steal and
Micah Smith tip-in to knot it at 18, the Tribe went on a 15-2 run, extending the lead to as much as 15 with a little over four minutes remaining.
GS responded with a mad dash over the remaining four minutes, recording a 16-4 run as a response.
Bradley Douglas sprinted for a lay-up to cut the deficit to 48-45 at halftime.
William & Mary quelled the Eagles' rally coming out of the locker room, stretching the lead back to double-digits again, leading by 13 at 15:04.
A Brafford drive and core capped off a quick 7-0 run to get back to within four, which the Eagles did again at 8:05, but never made it closer for the remainder of the game. William & Mary took the first-ever meeting between these two teams 102-87.
White continued his hot week of play, scoring a career-best 25 in the loss, also leading the team in rebounds (6) and assists (2). Brafford (11) and
Adante' Holiman (10) also scored in double figures with
Micah Smith contributing career highs of seven points and six rebounds.
GS will close down Hanner Fieldhouse on Saturday against West Georgia.